Recently in Crime and Public Safety Category

Sheriff's deputies are searching for a Yucaipa man who has been missing since Aug. 2.

Roger Thomas Telford Sr., 64, walked away from his home in the 34000 block of Yucaipa Blvd. about 1 p.m. He suffers from memory loss due to a head injury and has a metal plate in the back of his head.

San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies say he also has had several broken bones, no teeth and does not wear dentures.

The word "Ontario" is tattooed on his stomach.

Telford was last seen wearing blue jeans, a white shirt and a black hat. He is white, 5-feet-6 inches tall, 135 to 150 pounds and has long gray hair and brown eyes. He has also lived in Adelanto and Ontario, officials said.

Anyone with information may call the sheriff's Yucaipa station, (909) 790-3105 or 790-3100.

YUCAIPA - A local Yucaipa Valley SUN reader sent this question to Michelle Pearl, who answers motorists' questions in her popular "Drive Time" that appears in the SUN. It's worth repeating.

Question from Walter H. of Yucaipa: "I thought that a ticket for talking on a cell phone was only $20. When I got my ticket in the mail it was nearly $80! How can they do this?

Michelle's Answer: You have just received a crash course in ticket fines and penalty assessments, Walter.

Here is the anatomy of a typical traffic fine:

First you will have to pay the base fine which is determined by each individual city. Then, you will need to pay the state penalty assessment, which will be equal to or greater than the base fine. Then there will be a county penalty assessment added onto the tab, which averages nearly as much as the base fine.

But wait, there's more! Once the state court security fees, conviction assessments, surcharges and other fines are added on, the price of your original citation will most likely be nearly quadruple the original base fine.

Thank you Michelle for informing those drivers who continue to violate the law that prohibits the use of handheld mobile phones while driving in the state. And Yucaipa has its fair share who think they are above the law.

Send your questions to Michelle at drivetime@inlandnewspapers.com. Some readers questions will be answered in the SUN in print. Drive Time can be found in the "A" section of the SUN.

Banning Police Department eagerly awaits opening of new police station.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

BANNING -Banning Chief of Police, Leonard Purvis, has his calendar marked for late December, early January because that's about the time when he and his police department will move into their new home - the new Banning Police Station.

The new station is currently under construction on Ramsey Street just one block east of San Gorgonio Avenue in the heart of downtown Banning.

When finished, the new station will dwarf the old station by about three times the size, and in a sense unite the department.

"The new station will have about 30,000 square feet," said Purvis. "We have some departments separated and spread apart. Now we will be all under one roof and we are really proud of that."

Because the new police station has plenty of room, it will also allow the department to grow as the city grows, he said.

"It will be nice," Purvis said. "We are all excited about it."

Letter To The Editor:

FOREST FALLS - Thank you to the Redlands Daily Facts for providing us the inside view of what actually happens at the rave events put on at the Pharaoh's Lost Kingdom site.

If all we had was the Police official who maintained that "the majority of the young people behaved themselves" we would have been left grossly misinformed. A free and vigorous press is needed so that we can be given a clearer vision of behavior that creates an environment where Security Guards are assaulted, drugs are rampant, and sex is literally performed for the crowd on the dance floor.

We the people need to know how uncontrolled this atmosphere is so that we can force our local politicians to put an end to this type of behavior in our community. Thank you for doing what newspapers do best, informing the populace so that we can collectively demand change.

Pat Meagher
Forest Falls
(909) 794-0117

Two Beaumont senior citizens fell victim to what police are calling a nationwide telephone scam, involving a caller who asks for money and claims to be their grandson, police said this week.

One of the victims said the caller claimed to have been in a car accident and was arrested for driving while under the influence. He needed money to be bailed out of jail. The same caller asked the victim to send more money to pay for damages to the other vehicle involved in the crash.

The second victim received a call from someone who said he was also in a car accident in a rental vehicle and needed money.

Beaumont police urged residents to be wary when asked for money over the phone. Police offer the following tips:

- Verify the identity of the relative prior to sending money by contacting the relative directly or calling another family member to verify the information.

- Ask personal questions that a stranger would not be able to answer.

- If the caller claims to be in jail, a hospital or another location, call the business directly to verify the information.

- Call the police if you have been a victim.

- Visit the Better Business Bureau's website for more information, www.bbb.org.

melissa.pinion-whitt@inlandnewspapers.com

News Release:

BEAUMONT - The Prevent Child Abuse Riverside County, San Gorgonio Consortium will be sponsoring a free Internet Safety Training for Parents. This workshop will be in conjunction with the SAFE (Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement) Team.

As a parent, you will be fully informed about the very real and potentially life-threatening dangers that are accessible to your children in the world of the Internet.

DATE: Wednesday, May 13, 2009
TIME: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
PLACE: Mt. View Multi-Purpose Room, 200 Cougar Way, Beaumont, CA 92223. A free light dinner will be provided.

Stacia Glenn, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/10/2009 05:53:10 PM PDT

RIVERSIDE - A former Calimesa councilman admitted Friday that he violated his probation when he used a computer to arrange a hotel meeting with a man.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge James T. Warren sentenced Jon Winningham to report back to his courtroom Friday to begin his two-year prison sentence.

Winningham, 53, was arrested in September after being caught chatting online with a law enforcement decoy.

After the former councilman pleaded guilty in early 2007 to 13 counts of possession and intent to distribute child pornography, he was given five years of probation and ordered not to use a computer.

The defense requested home confinement and probation instead of prison time because of several health issues Winningham suffers from.

"If Mr. Winningham goes to jail or prison, he may very well not survive," said attorney Brent Romney, adding that Winningham "has been a very good citizen for 50 years."

By Mike Cruz / Staff Writer
on April 10, 2009 5:01 PM

Former Calimesa City Council member Jon Winningham was sentenced Friday to two years in state prison for violating his probation, a charge stemming from his child pornography conviction in 2007.

The 53-year-old Winningham was sentenced in Riverside Superior Court. He is required to surrender to authorities April 17 to begin his sentence.

Winningham, who served 12 years on the council, was arrested Sept. 22 on suspicion of violating the terms of his probation by using the Internet to arrange a hotel meeting with a man. Judge James T. Warren said he was particularly dismayed that Winningham had used a library computer.

A judge ruled in 2007 that Winningham could not use a computer after he pleaded guilty to 10 felony counts of intent to distribute child pornography and three misdemeanor counts of possession of child pornography.

From SUN Staff Reports

YUCAIPA - A jury has found a Yucaipa woman guilty on one felony count, but deadlocked on another count, in connection with the death of her 6-month old baby in 2006.

Jurors on Friday reached the verdict against defendant Lisa Marie VanDyne in San Bernardino Superior Court. VanDyne was found guilty of one count of willful cruelty to a child causing possible injury or death, according to court records.

But when jurors couldn't reach a concensus on a separate count, Judge Bryan F. Foster declared a mistrial on that count: A caretaker or custodian committing assault on a child with force likely to produce great bodily injury or death.

News Release:

By Kaitlin McIntyre
Burson-Marsteller
(310) 309-6640

Morongo Indian Reservation, Banning, CA - Shocked by the weekend shooting deaths of four Oakland Police officers, The Morongo Band of Mission Indians on Tuesday reached out to the families of the slain officers to offer their condolences and express their outrage at the senseless killings.

Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin expressed the sympathy of the entire Morongo nation in a message to the families.

"Our hearts and prayers are with the families of the officers," said Chairman Martin. "We share their loss and we are deeply saddened."

The Tribe announced that it is donating $10,000 to the trust funds that have been established in the names of the families of each of the fallen officers, and is encouraging others to join with them in supporting the families at this time of need.

"This tragedy doesn't just impact Oakland or Northern California," said Chairman Martin. "It is something for all of the state and the nation to respond to."

By Stacia Glenn / Staff Writer

Sheriff's deputies said they have arrested three teens who are suspected of tagging walls at a school and city park in Yucaipa over the weekend.

About $1,300 worth of damage was done by the graffiti to the gymnasium wall at the Ninth Grade Campus and the public bathrooms at Seventh Street Park, officials said.

The juveniles, who were arrested and then released to their parents, were not identified because they are under 18.

- stacia.glenn@inlandnewspapers.com

Courtesy Photo

News Release:
By June Yamamoto
Dean, Emergency Training Center
Crafton Hills College
San Bernardino Regional Emergency Training Center
www.sbretc.org.

BANNING - Passcom will be holding its monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 in the Educational Building, San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital, located in the north east corner of 600 No. Highland Springs Ave., Banning, CA.

The meeting starts at 8:30 am. Janell Webber from Emergency Communications Network West will be the guest speaker. The topic of discussion will be about their internet based outbound communications notification system CodeRED.

CodeRED has been used for communicating a child is missing, hostage situation, street closures, water contamination, evacuation routes, school alerts, change is trash pickup or voting location as well as internal notification for emergency meetings or first responders.

Students at a Banning middle school have completed a colorful mural of hand prints on ceramic tiles for an anti-gang education program.

The Gang Resistance Education And Training program mural will be displayed during a presentation at Coombs Intermediate School at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. The school is at 1151 W. Wilson St.

Banning police Detective Doug Monte, who teaches the GREAT program, challenged sixth-grade students to come up with a project to improve their school. Students voted to make a mural consisting of their handprints on ceramic tiles, police said.

All 385 students participating in the program, their teachers and Banning police dog Zorro contributed prints to the mural.

The mural covers the west wall of the locker room building. Donations making the mural possible came from local businesses including Bear Creek Pottery, Home Depot of Beaumont, Tilden-Coil Constructors and Keith Peace Tile, Inc.

melissa.pinion-whitt@inlandnewspapers.com

Sheriff's deputies have arrested a man and woman on suspicion of killing a Yucaipa man and stealing his vehicle, officials said today.

Kristy L. Hernandez, 28, was booked into Central Detention Center in San Bernardino on an arrest warrant for a narcotics violation, San Bernardino County sheriff's officials said.

Deputies booked Jose Mendieta, 29, into West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on suspicion of violating parole. The Yucaipa residents were both held without bail.

The pair are suspects in the death of Crisoforo Bello, 23, of Yucaipa, who suffered a serious chest wound while being attacked by two people in the 13000 block of Third Street on March 10, sheriff's officials said. Authorities have not specified whether he was shot or stabbed.

Neighbors awoke at 1:37 a.m. to the sound of people yelling and arguing in the street. Bello started banging on a resident's door, asking for help.

The victim's 2003 Ford Taurus was found in La Quinta on Saturday.

Sheriff's investigators plan to submit reports on both suspects to the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office for consideration of murder charges.

melissa.pinion-whitt@inlandnewspapers.com

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department helicopter is valuable for locating suspects, fighting fires, and search and rescue operations.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA - Bad guys beware, the spotlight and the "heat" are on you.

For up in the sky, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department helicopter will hunt you down with infrared heat and a spotlight that's powerful enough to light up the ground below.

The helicopter, called a "Eurocopter," is piloted by Craig McConnell and flight officer, Ryan Peppler, said Steve Jaronski, reserve deputy with the aviation division of the sheriff's department.

"It's got infrared and picks up body heat of suspects running from law enforcement," Jaronski said. "It's very difficult to hide from it. If they get hit with that they are found."

The infrared is so powerful that if a suspect tries to hide - for example - behind a building, under a tarp, or in thick brush, it's futile, Jaronski said.

And there's the spotlight. It's got 30-million candle power, and with it the two men in the sky can track suspects down as they run or try to hide. While McConnell and Peppler chase after fleeing suspects from above, they guide police on the ground to the suspect's location.

But the helicopter has many purposes. It's used for finding missing persons, rescue operations, and during the fire season it has become a valuable fire-fighting tool.

"We can hook up a 150 gallon water bucket and dip out of ponds and lakes to fight fires," Jaronski said.

The sheriff's department bought the helicopter three years ago at a cost of $2.6 million. Has it been worth the cost?

"It is so versatile and multi-purpose," Jaronski said as a crowd gathered around to view the helicopter at the Bicycle Rodeo at Yucaipa Community Park on Saturday.

"It comes in real handy. It's the eyes in the sky."

Amanda Velez guides her daughter, Natalya Valez, 5, through the bicycle safety course. A sheriff's patrol and rescue helicopter and the mounted posse were a big attraction adults and kids alike.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA - Youngsters were treated to a day of games, good food, raffle prizes to win bikes and helmets, and they also learned bicycle safety rules at the 17th Annual Bicycle Rodeo at Yucaipa Community Park on Saturday, March 14.

Check out the day's events in photos.Click Here To See Photos

Children learned bicycle safety rules, played games, and had chances to win bicycles at 17th Annual Bicycle Rodeo at Yucaipa Community Park on Saturday.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA - As Mark Hoffman hoisted his son, Marco, 3 1/2, on to the white and black police motorcycle, the little boy's face lit up in a huge smile as he looked up at his dad.

Marco was one of about 500 youngsters who attended the 17th annual Bicycle Rodeo at Yucaipa Community Park on Saturday. The Yucaipa Kiwanis Club and the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department - Yucaipa Police Station hosted the event along with several organizations and businesses.

Mark Hoffman said that he wants to start familiarizing his son with the public servants who strive to keep him safe.

"I want him to become comfortable around police officers, emergency personnel, and equipment," Hoffman said. "This was a lot more than I expected."

A Yucaipa man was killed and his vehicle was stolen on Third Street this morning.

Crisoforo Bello, 23, died at Loma Linda University Medical Center at 2:23 a.m., San Bernardino County sheriff's officials said.

Residents in the 13000 block of Third Street heard people yelling outside at 1:37 a.m. The victim banged on a door asking for help.

Residents then saw a couple of people standing near a light vehicle.

Sheriff's investigators said Bello's 2003 Ford Taurus was taken during the attack. The four-door vehicle is gray and has paper plates with Unique Auto in black and white lettering.

Anyone with information may call Sgt. Tony DeCecio or Jason Radeleff, (909)387-3589. Anonymous callers may contact WeTip, (800) 78-CRIME.

melissa.pinion-whitt@inlandnewspapers.com

Firefighters and hazardous materials personnel came to Yucaipa High School this morning after students claimed to be sickened from exposure to a substance in the gymnasium.

Firefighters came to the scene at 33000 Yucaipa Boulevard at 10:51 a.m. and determined about 50 people were exposed to the substance, which was later found to be inert, said California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Capt. Frank Wilson. The substance was in the boys' gym.

Fire officials did not disclose what the substance was, but said it was a liquid.

No students were taken to hospitals.

melissa.pinion-whitt@inlandnewspapers.com

Hearty fans brave the wet weather at Yucaipa High girls soccer match.

YUCAIPA - If you're heading home from work, it's cold, raining and Yucaipa Blvd. is slippery, and heavy with traffic. I saw one accident near Oak Glen Road - looked like a rear end collision. Drivers are speeding way too fast for the conditions, so be careful.